From Winter to Spring Skin Care: Tweaks and Tricks

Whew! We made it through another cold winter and it’s getting really warm!

We all know that when winter ends and the new season begins our skin changes. Raise your hand if your skin becomes dry, oily, and if it looks cracked. Is it happening to you? Welcome to the club!

Okay, bear this in mind: even though the weather is finally starting to warm up, our skin might not be ready yet, that’s why you need to transition into a spring skincare routine. 

Just like we change our wardrobes, diets, and routines to reflect the arrival of springtime, skin care is no exception! While there’s no need to radically overhaul your skincare routine just yet, there are a few tweaks and tricks you can perform to help your skin look its best as we go from one season to another. 

Spring is not just about cleaning and going on a road trip during Spring Break! Keep reading for tips on how to update your spring skin care ASAP!

Transitioning skin care: Why you should spring clean your routine

Your winter skincare routine was likely based on using heavier creams to combat the cold, dry air. However, in the new season, the sun is out more, the air is drier, and your skin may be oily from the heat, so you should adapt your regime to keep gorgeous skin throughout the season. 

The cherry on the cake? With Spring also comes allergies, which make you sneeze more and touch your face constantly. This, mixed with warmer temperatures, can lead to breakouts. 

Still want to keep using your winter skin care products? Here are more reasons why you shouldn’t!

#1 The weather

The weather is one of the main reasons why you should adjust your skin care routine. 

The colder, drier air of winter can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving it feeling dry and dull. In this sense, during the colder months, your skin needs products that will help retain moisture since the cold air sucks all of the natural oils out of your face.

In contrast, the more humid air and warmer temperatures of spring can cause breakouts, dark spots, and other skin problems. That’s why skin needs active ingredients that can help protect it from UV rays and other environmental aggressors.

#2 Your goals

Another reason to change to a spring skin care routine is if you have any specific goals or concerns that you want to address. For example, maybe you want to get a head start on combating the sun damage from the spring and summer months by wearing sunscreen with higher SPF. Or perhaps you’re trying to get rid of cracked, dull skin from the winter months.

Whatever your goals, you can tailor your skincare routine to help you achieve them.

#3 The products

The products you were using during winter may be too heavy for your skin in spring. If you don’t switch up your products, you may end up with clogged pores and breakouts *ugh*. 

Spring skin care routine: Do’s and Don’ts

The snow is vanishing, the birds are coming back and you can finally see your toes again. As much as we like cold, it can really do a number on our skin. From the dry skin caused by indoor heating to windburn from frigid temperatures outside, our skin takes a beating during the colder months.

Now that the weather is (finally) deliciously warn, it’s time to start thinking about transitioning your skincare routine. Here are a few do’s and *really big* don’ts you should take into account: 

Do’s

1. Exfoliate deeply *if you weren’t doing it already*

If you haven’t been exfoliating regularly during the winter, now is the time to start. Casting off dead skin cells will help your skin better absorb moisture and give you a healthy glow.

Just be sure to apply a gentle exfoliator that won’t cause you irritated skin!  

Read related article: What is Exfoliation?

2. Swap out heavy products for lighter ones

Now that the temperature is warming up, your skin won’t need as much hydration. Heavy creams and oils can end up clogging pores and lead to breakouts *especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin*, so swap them out for lighter moisturizer, serums and lotions to have nourished, healthy skin.

3. Add a face mask to hydrate skin

A good way to counteract the dryness caused by winter is to add a sheet mask or an overnight face mask to your weekly routine. Look for masks that contain ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, or shea butter to help seal in moisture.

Spoiler alert: Wanna know more about the oh-so-amazing overnight face masks? You need to read this! Check out this link here. 

4. Adapt your makeup to the new season

Stay away from heavy makeup products! 

Warmer weather and heavy makeup aren’t anyone's best friends, since they can clog pores and lead to a horrible breakout. That’s why you may want to opt for lighter products that include some sun protection, like a bb cream.

Check out the best makeup products here.

5. Clean your makeup brushes

If you avoid doing this in winter, there’s no escape! You should definitely clean your brushes with the new season to get rid of bacteria and start painting spring with a clean pencil

Don’ts 

1. Don’t skip the sunscreen

This is a must for all skin types! Just because the sun isn’t as strong doesn’t mean you can skip the SPF. In fact, sun exposure can be just as damaging in the spring and summer months. Make sure to wear sunscreen every day, even if you don’t plan on spending much time outside. 

Pro-tip: choose a zinc oxide and antioxidant-rich sunscreen for better sun protection. 

2. Don’t overdo it with the products

It can be tempting to use every product in your arsenal as the weather warms, but this can in fact do more damage than good. Too many products can overload your skin and cause irritation. Stick to the products you know work well for you and experiment with new ones later in the summer.

3. Don’t forget about your lips

Kissable lips are on the way! 

Your lips are just as exposed to the elements as the rest of your skin, so don’t forget to give them some love. Go for a balm with SPF to shield them from the sun and keep them hydrated all season long.

Shop the best lip care products here.

4. Don’t skip moisturizer

*We’re looking at you, oily skin people*

If your skin feels greasy, you may think that it’s a good idea to skip moisturizer during these months… NO! 

Even though warmer weather can lead to more sebum production, you shouldn’t skip moisturizer to avoid getting oilier skin. This will only generate breakouts and dryness. 

Spring skincare tips

Spring beauty tips for dry skin

If your skin is dry, you know that the chilly weather can be tough on your complexion. The good news is, there are a some tweaks you can make to your skincare routine to help your skin during the warmer months

Here are some of our favorite tips:

• Start by switching out your heavy, rich cream and cleanser for a dramatically different moisturizing gel and water-based lotion. This will help your dull skin feel less weighed down and more refreshed.
• Exfoliate habitually to get rid of any dead cells that have built up over the winter months and increase blood flow. We recommend using a gentle exfoliating scrub once a week, as harsh scrubs can damage the skin barrier and prevent more skin from growing.
• Make sure to include skin care products rich in antioxidants, like vitamin c, to help your skin recover from the dry, colder months boost collagen production and smooth wrinkles.
• Finally, don't forget the sunscreen! Yes, the sun is not as damaging during spring, but you still can’t skip out on this important step in your skincare routine. Choose a light, non-greasy formula that won't clog your pores and will shield you against sun damage.

Spring beauty tips for oily and acne-prone skin

Any board-certified dermatologist would tell you that warm and humid weather often translates to oilier skin! If you are afraid of your skin looking like just-out-of-the-fryer french fries or want to avoid getting a feared breakout, here is what you should do: 

• Make sure you’re also using a light, oil-free moisturizer in the springtime to keep your skin hydrated. Heavy creams can sometimes make acne worse, so it’s best to switch to something lighter as the weather, like a fast-absorbing moisturizing gel. 
• If, for some reason, you’re not using any spot treatment, add salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to your regime to keep your pores clear. These products can be used all year round, but they will work wonders during the hotter months to prevent breakouts, get rid of dark spots, and even skin tone.
• Non-comedogenics are your way to go, especially during this season! If you were using products that include non-comedogenic *or pore-clogging* ingredients, it is time to spring clean them.  
• Don’t forget to exfoliate! Oily skin is more prone to breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and prevent new breakouts from forming.

For oily skin, it’s best to use a physical exfoliator with small particles that won’t irritate the skin. Look for scrubs with ingredients like jojoba beads or ground coffee beans and use it twice a week for a few seconds. 

• Add an oil-free, water-based cleanser to wash all the dirt and sweat off and use oil-free makeup, like bb cream, to avoid feeling too heavy. 

Spring beauty tips for sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is often dry, red, and irritated during the warmer months, but fear not! Here are our skin care tips to get healthy skin while enjoying the days in the sun: 

• First things first: switch to a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, since harsh chemicals and fragrances can further irritate sensitive skin. 
• Next, up your moisture game with a hydrating serum or cream. Look for a moisturizer that contains active ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which help attract and retain moisture and have the added benefit that they won’t redden your skin. 
• If you have sensitive skin, chances are your skin is also dry. Exfoliating is important to get rid of dead cells and even skin tone, but be sure to use a gentle exfoliator made for sensitive skin and approved by your board-certified dermatologist.
• Stay away from irritating antioxidants like vitamin c and, if you want to use it, do a patch test first.
• Last but not least, don’t forget the sunscreen! Sensitive skin is particularly susceptible to sun damage, so be sure to apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day.

Get ready to say “hello” to your spring routine

So, if you’ve been hibernating all winter long, it’s time to start transitioning your skincare routine into something that will work well for the warmer season! From your cleanser and SPF to the moisturizer and antioxidants, there are some things you should change if you don’t want to avoid looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost all year long. 

 Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered! Visit our Asian Beauty Essentials for all of the best spring skincare products to help you keep your skin healthy throughout the season. 

We promise that with a little effort and these great products, you will be on your way to having beautiful and healthy skin in no time!